What a year it has been! As I’m packing for this year’s New England Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators conference, I wonder what the weekend will hold. I can count on learning a lot from the amazing presenters and keynote speakers. There will be catching up and laughing with friends who I get to see too rarely. There will be oodles of artwork to inspire and inspire self-doubt. But what else?

With Ruth Sanderson Receiving the R. Michelson Emerging Artist Award – Pretending not to be nervous.

Last year’s conference was an otherworldly experience. When Ruth Sanderson called my name as winner of the R. Michelson Emerging Artist Award, I had to look at my pal, Russ Cox, to make sure I wasn’t hearing things. To my horror, he looked at me and began to clap. I quickly had to turn on the tunnel vision to step in front of a room of hundreds (the spotlight not being my perfect space). My name was quickly called again for another honor that I didn’t even hear – tunnel hearing as well – and the world started spinning. My conference experience quickly shifted from collegiality and education to congratulations from strangers, talking with agents, and attention I could not have prepared for. My friends peppered me with jokes, and I even received a slow clap when stepping into the hotel watering hole. If you’ve never received a slow clap while walking into a bar, well, I highly recommend it. Thanks for that, Sean Bixby. Th is was just the beginning of a remarkable year, but that’s a post for another day.

Holding up some paper with Marlo Garnsworthy.

So while I pack my bag, trying not to forget my laptop or socks, I wonder what will happen this weekend. Who’s name is going to be called this year? Who will be swept up in a whirlwind of attention and excitement. I know so many who are deserving, and I root for them all. No matter how things shake out, it’s always such a worthwhile experience. Here we go NESCBWI 2015!

Bonus Illustration – Created for Zachary Barry Vasconcelos

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2015/04/24/heading-to-nescbwi-2015-reflecting-on-14/feed/1madeoflines10269643_10152044712511962_509114097275097222_n (1)10922293_414866382024413_7688215876097161133_o10322835_10151964078395771_7988600208430145949_ncowboy-bird-paintingThe 12 Drawings (and paintings) of Christmashttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/25/the-12-drawings-and-paintings-of-christmas/
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Click on any illustration to see the full post with larger images.

The 1st Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 2nd Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 3rd Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 4th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 5th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 6th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 7th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 8th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 9th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 10th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 11th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

The 12th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/25/the-12-drawings-and-paintings-of-christmas/feed/0madeoflinesThe 1st Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 2nd Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 3rd Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 4th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 5th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 6th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 7th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 8th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 9th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 10th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 11th Drawing of Christmas- Click to EnlargeThe 12th Drawing of Christmas- Click to Enlarge12 Drawings of Christmas: December 24thhttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/24/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-24th/
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Today’s image was inspired by one of my favorite movies by one of my favorite film makers, Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro.

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/24/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-24th/feed/0madeoflinesMNS-SketchMy-Neighbor-Santa-Claus---DrawingMy-Neighbor-Santa-Claus---BackgroundMy-Neighbor-Santa-Claus---Final-PaintingMy-Neighbor-Santa-Claus---Cropped12 Drawings of Christmas: December 23rdhttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/23/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-23rd/
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Final Drawing – Click to Enlarge

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/23/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-23rd/feed/0madeoflinesFinal Drawing - Click to Enlarge12 Drawings of Christmas: December 22ndhttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/22/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-22nd/
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Final Drawing – Click to Enlarge

Initial Sketch – Click to Enlarge

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/22/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-22nd/feed/0madeoflinesFinal Drawing - Click to EnlargeInitial Sketch - Click to Enlarge12 Drawings of Christmas: December 21sthttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/21/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-21st/
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Final Painting – Click to Enlarge

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/21/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-21st/feed/0madeoflinesTurtle-Mouse-MilesToGo-drawingFinal Painting - Click to Enlarge12 Drawings of Christmas: December 20thhttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/20/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-20th/
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Final – Click to Enlarge

]]>https://madeoflines.com/2014/12/20/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-20th/feed/0madeoflinesFinal - Click to Enlarge12 Drawings of Christmas: December 19thhttps://madeoflines.com/2014/12/19/12-drawings-of-christmas-december-19th/
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